Vladimir’s outlook makes me sad.
I don’t hate him. I think he’s shortsighted, but perhaps that has to do with how I was brought up.
I was baptized Greek Orthodox but raised Roman Catholic. My mother came to the US from Sparta (Greece) in the 50’s. But I went to Catholic school from first grade right through graduating college. I can honestly say that I span two worlds — the Western Church and the Eastern Church.
I revere many people, but possibly the one individual who gives me the most visceral response would be Emperor Constantine, who made Almighty God the sole God of the Empire—both West and East—and cemented Christianity from Britain to the Black Sea. To say that I’m keenly aware that there are two of God’s Churches—West and East—tasked with shepherding us all would be an understatement. I consider both vital.
Vladimir might be concerned with the worst fall of the 20th Century, but for me, the worst overall was the Fall of Constantinople and the Eastern Empire—and its influence over millions of Christians. Christendom has been under constant assault since the seventh century, but 29 May 1453 was perhaps the blackest part of its history and for me the most keenly felt.
When I see Putin talk about the fall of the Soviet Union it saddens me. That’s as far back as he can look? I might have have hoped the leader of the country containing the Russian Orthodox Church would have a longer view of history. I suppose, though, given the history of the Soviet Union, a reverence for God would have been too much to expect. The Soviets did, after all, expend a great deal of effort attacking Him.
Perhaps someday there might be a Russian leader who has a longer view not only of history, but of civilization itself, and the role of God within. Perhaps the Eastern Church, so long quiescent in the world, will become prominent once again on the world stage. Perhaps even the Hagia Sophia will become a Christian church again. But, sadly, today is not that day, and today’s leaders are not those to bring that about.
But times, leaders, and Patriarchs change. And there’s nothing stopping us from demanding something change with them.
ADDENDUM:
Yet, we remember always the Great Commission is FOR ALL nations. This gives responsibility to every follower is to live as an authentic witness to lead people to Christ and for the Body of Christ to give our genuine prayerful spiritual support.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.β Matthew 28:19-20